Mudcakes in Haiti....

It was difficult to find a more recent video than the one shown above because there isn't as much importance placed on Haiti now as there was when the earthquake first hit. But, I believe this video gives a good glimpse of what the Haitians must go through day in and day out, simply because they are not receiving as much aid as they need. I don't know if I could allow myself to eat mud.
In the beginning of the video, there is a recipe given for this "food" that the Haitians eat in order to stay alive which includes mud, water, lemon butter, and salt. This is all these people have, and therefore they make the best of it.

Lifestyle Changes - Moving to the US

Because of the disastrous effects the earthquake had on Haiti in January, there have been several instances where Haitians have attempted to cross into the United States. The Haitians are crossing in from Canada, and from there are coming down to the US, unless of course they get caught. The most obvious reason for these individuals to illegally cross into the United States is to escape the horrendous accommodations right now. The Haitians have been starving and many no longer have homes to live in, so they can't be blamed for attempting to find a better life elsewhere.

The audio clip is an interview with an attorney, David Watts, who is currently representing three Haitians who have lived in the United States previously, and have now tried to enter through Canada. These individuals according to the lawyer, had been ordered to leave the US but they refused to leave. The immigration laws have temporarily changed for the people who have come in from Haiti because there is nothing to send them back to. This is what has made so many Haitians attempt to enter the US, because word has gone around that they will not be returned at this time, and temporarily will be allowed to live in the US.

Poverty in America's Backyard

Poverty in America's Backyard
By Bailey Wilkins

Poverty is a world-wide problem, from Africa to India, and even in America’s backyard. Here in Flint, it can be seen on almost every street corner. However, there are people trying to help.

One of those people is Cassie DeLong. DeLong, a 21-year-old Flint native, volunteers at least once at week at Flint’s North End Soup Kitchen.

“It is a really rewarding experience,” says DeLong. “You get to know these people and care about them individually. There are many people that come back again and again, but there are always new faces.”

In the recent tough economic times, DeLong says she has noticed an increase in visitors to the soup kitchen.

“Over the last few years, we have seen about a 50% increase in the number of people around mealtime. There used to be new people coming in and older visitors who stopped coming. There doesn’t seem to be as much rotation anymore.”

To accommodate the increase in patrons, Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, which runs The North End Soup Kitchen, has included a second daily meal. The second meal and recent renovations to the kitchen were made possible by a $160,000 grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. DeLong is proud of what the soup kitchen is doing, but it is a bittersweet moment.

“I love meeting these people and knowing that we can make a difference in their lives,” says DeLong. “But at the same time, I hope there will be a day when I’m not needed.”

North End Soup Kitchen 

735 E. Stewart Avenue

Flint, Michigan 48503

810-785-6911

Haitians Forgotten...

Haitians Forgotten Like Strays

 By Bailey Wilkins

The Haiti earthquake occurred over two months ago and while it has nearly disappeared from the headlines, the devastation left by the earthquake remains.

This past week, The Huffington Post ran a story about the ongoing struggle to survive in Haiti. This nation was poverty-filled from the beginning, but ever since the earthquake, food supplies in Haiti have gone down, while the price to import food has gone up. This has left many Haitians no option but to resort to eating whatever they have, which in some cases is mud.

Cookies made of dirt, butter and salt are the sole food source to many exceptionally poor Haitians. They have almost no nutritional value; however, they do keep the Haitians alive. The relief that has been sent there is not enough to cover the poorest areas in Haiti. These people had very little food to begin with, but are now seemingly eating worse than a stray dog.

This is one of many tragic stories coming out of Haiti right now, but it seems one has to be searching to find them. The earthquake that nearly took over all media outlets now seems to be yesterday’s news.

This is a country that is literally dying right before us, and attention once again needs to be brought to it. The Americans that jumped to the rescue and raised millions for Haiti relief need to know that there is still much more work to be done.

Psychological Support Trumps Famine

Psychological Support Trumps Famine

By Bailey Wilkins

Famine is a worldwide issue that increasingly affects more individuals as time goes by. It is often brought to light during natural disasters, as it has been recently with the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. Since those disasters, many people have been doing their part to provide food, clean water and shelter to the victims. While that is an integral part of the survival and recovery of these people, it is not all that they need. Something most people may not consider is psychological support.

This week, The Red Cross published a story about the need for psychological help in these devastated areas, particularly in Chile. Since the disaster one month ago, Chile has experienced over 200 aftershocks.

“’These strong tremors are particularly distressing to people trying to recover from the trauma of having lost family members and friends, homes, and livelihoods,” explains Gustavo Ramirez, regional representative, currently in Chile. “People who live in the coastal areas are not only afraid of the aftershocks but also of any possible tsunamis they may trigger, and even people whose homes have been assessed as being safe are afraid of staying indoors. They wonder whether these aftershocks will ever end.’”

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Red Cross psychology staff from Spain, Colombia, Ecuador and Nicaragua has treated over 1700 people since the disaster and there are many more who need it. This kind of help may not be as critical to survival as food and water; however, it is critical to regaining their lives. Posttraumatic stress can ruin any chance they ever have of returning to their old lives and living through the trauma of every aftershock can emotionally scar them.

The earthquake reduced buildings to rubble, but after the dust cleared much more damage was left behind on those who survived. Starvation is only one of the many aspects of need for these individuals. It is important to donate and make sure they can survive, but they also need to be able to truly live. The Red Cross is doing their part to make that happen.

Introduction: The old idea of starvation revisited

I would like to take a different stance on food - one that goes away from the good and bad recipes, fantastic or disgusting restaurants, or any other aspect of eating and good food. My focus will be on the idea of starvation – how much food it would take to feed one person who is facing serious famine. Especially with the tragedy that recently occurred in Haiti. The reason I want to focus on starvation rather than the food they have provided to them is because there is a bigger issue that many people need to know about. What is this issue? I am not sure yet, which is why I would like to devote some of my time to figuring out what the answer is to that question.